Foresters Brass 2000 was delighted to come away from the Bandsman's Festival Contest in Bugle on the weekend with a boot full of silverware.

First visit

In their first visit to the Cornish contest, the Leicester-based band won the First Section, as well as picking up awards for the Best March, Best Basses and Best Instrumentalist — the latter going to the principal euphonium player Lucas Wong.

Breeze

All the prizes were picked up despite the high winds as Musical Director Peter Collins told 4BR: "I looked up at one point to see the sop player’s music had pretty much wrapped itself around the 2nd cornet player’s face!"

He added: "We also laughed later when the remarks from William Relton said the top trombone was ‘a bit quiet’ at the end of the piece. That’s mainly because his music was about two fields away by then!"

Without exception, the band was greeted with such warmth – it really was the sort of event which makes you proud to be part of the banding movementChariman, Dan Baker

Poignant moment

Peter also commenting on the poignant moment when massed bands played for Goff Richards at the end of the contest. "As visitors to the county, this was a moving moment of banding camaraderie which encapsulated the friendly, warm and welcoming atmosphere of the event," he added.

Night time warmth

There was another example camaraderie enjoyed by the visitors when the St Austell Band made a point inviting the players to a party at their bandroom.

Chairman Dan Baker told 4BR: "Without exception, the band was greeted with such warmth – it really was the sort of event which makes you proud to be part of the banding movement.

So many people — from audience members, competing bandsmen, even the lady serving the tea, seemed to go out of their way to say hello. And we heard nothing but applause as the results were announced too – no animosity whatsoever that ‘outsiders’ had picked up some prizes."

Rounded off

Foresters Brass 2000 stopped off on the way home at Trago Mills in Devon to give a performance to boost the fundraising efforts of their sponsors. The band is already discussing a return to Bugle in 2012 – to defend their titles, but even more so to enjoy another weekend of superb Cornish hospitality.